Relig ious meaning of The Chorae

ABSTRACT

The Chorae rituals decreased gradually during the Chosun dynasty . Only the folk wedding ritual remains. The reason for this lies in the rank order of feudalism. Only an emperor of the Chinese dynasty can perform a ceremony for Heaven. Feudal lords perform ceremonies limited to their royal ancestor shrines and the guardian deities of their state. Common people perform ceremonies limited to their ancestors .When people perform prayer exepended Heaven and unsuitable being, it's regarded wrong service(淫祀). Chorae rituals also regarded as wrong service. Sometimes Chorae rituals were performed in royal courts and families. Then many Confucians opposed the ritual that regarded wrong ritual to player Heaven. This ritual does satisfy the feudal orders system. Then Cnfucian official suggested desconstructing the Sokeakseo(Worship place in royal court)where Chorae was performed.During the Japanese invaded, Sokyukseo disappeared. But common people performed the Chorae rituals in their coming-of-age and wedding ceremonies. Most people under stand the formal aspect of the Chorae ritual in a wedding ceremony, but they don't under stand the religious meaning.The religious meaning is to pray to Heaven for good fortune with holy purification. When this holy praying to the stary night, one needs keep a spiritual attitude.The Chorae ritual is usually regarded as a Taoist ritual, but the folk custom for praying to the stars was already evident before Taoism was an influence.